Agricultural production under solar panels

Solar farm New Hampshire Gazette

One of the trade offs with solar energy production is the large land area needed for solar production. Farmers are beginning to experiment with various designs to combine solar production with agricultural land use.  In New Hampshire as reported in the New Hampshire Gazette a configuration with the panels 9 feet in the air and five feet apart results in yield reductions of 5 to 10% when compared to the unobstructed areas in front of the panels. The area below can also be used for livestock grazing land. The poles are anchored 8 feet below the surface.

Photo courtesy of Prairie Restoration Inc.

In Ramsey, Minnesota, as reported in Ensia, combining bee hives with a solar panel installation by Connexusenergy also works. The bees provide pollination to the nearby fields and produce honey. In Ramsey Minnesota Bolton Bees combine solar panels with honey production. They have even gone into the craft beer business producing Solarama Crush.

Sustainenergy - Japan

In Japan, Farmers are using the shade from the solar panels to produce cloud ear mushrooms that would have formerly been imported from China.  Combining mycology and solar energy exemplifies sustainable mycology.

Surprise in a walk in cooler

Mushroom in wall - N. Carlson

In October of 2017 an employee noted an unexpected location for a mushroom. This mushroom growth was noted in a walk in cooler. A leak in the pipe provided the water that supported the growth in the wall outside the cooler.

Wide shot of mushroom in wall - N. Carlson

The leak was fixed after the wall outside the cooler was opened up.

Typical fungal growth on a box in a walk-in cooler - N. Carlson

One of the most common fungal organisms found in walk-in coolers is Cladosporium sphaerospermum. Presumptively identified by small diameter colonies growing on dusty surfaces in the cooler including, cardboard, plastic and stainless steel.  Tease tape identification with a microscope can confirm the type of growth.

Cladosporium sphaerospermum - N. Carlson

Fungal growth on sheetrock wall time lapse

The short video below represents the progressive mold growth on Sheetrock in a enclosed container with standing water.  This condition very roughly simulates the interior of a dry wall cavity. To get the full effect turn up the volume on your speakers.

Sheetrock mold growth time lapse 35 seconds